MUSIC REVIEW: Reardon Love - Purple Hearts.

This is the third single I have reviewed for relatively new band Reardon Love.  They are a four piece band from Hull with Matt Fletcher on Guitar / Vocals, Dan Wilby on Bass Guitar, Jed Pearson on Drums and Josh Chesman on Synth and Guitar.  They formed in 2018 and since then have limited themselves to a few single releases, albeit the Covid-19 pandemic will no doubt have made things tough during that time.

“Purple Hearts” is their fourth single to date and an interesting name check goes out to the brilliant Steve Whitfield for his production of this track – Whitfield is a member of the band Klammer and part of an electronic duo I have previously reviewed and absolutely love, Scenius.  I hope Whitfield’s involvement with Reardon Love continues.

Reardon Love are already well known for their loyal following in their home town of Hull but are also now getting on the road and travelling the country to take their music to a wider audience – they have also had some recent recognition from the BBC by getting some airplay as part of the BBC Introducing movement – a source of many success stories including The Amazons, Blossoms, Celeste, Tom Grennan and Royal Blood to name but a few.

Their latest track is an immediately likeable song with an upbeat and catchy melody.  I have previously said that Reardon Love releases take several listens before you understand and appreciate them but “Purple Hearts” is much simpler to get your head around and has instant appeal.  The chorus almost feels like it comes from a back catalogue of a band you have been listening to for years – I found myself with the song on repeat the whole time I was writing this review.

I think this release is really starting to demonstrate that Reardon Love have many facets to who they are – they are not simply a band who harp back to the New Wave generation of the early '80s, they are much more than this and “Purple Hearts” explores much more of a pop music vibe.  It is really current and modern, it isn’t trying too hard to be different but what they have produced is a serious pop track that people will love.

A couple of years ago I described Reardon Love’s debut single as “one of the best debut singles I have heard in the last few years” and their follow ups have not been a disappointment.  “Purple Hearts” really shows off their pop credentials and I have no doubt will be something special when played live – the key for these four lads from Hull now is to do the miles and get their music played around the country as more people need to experience it.  I am looking forward to the day when I am able to see them play live which hopefully will not be too far in the distance.

Reviewer - John Fish